Topic renamed. The original topic "Anime & Manga Regulation Bill To Pass The Assembly" was denied by DPJ assemblyman.
According to Jiji Tsushin, ten major manga publishers announced that they will boycott Tokyo International Anime Fair 2011 (TAF 2011) and asked the anime production companies not to display anime based on the publishers' manga at TAF. Governor Ishihara stated in the press conference that "I don't care. Do boycott as you like."

The vote on the anime and manga regulation bill will be held on December 15th. Whether the bill will pass the assembly depends on the decision of the ruling party, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). Mass media reported that DPJ decided to approve the bill, but Kurishita Zenko, one of the DPJ assemblymen, revealed that half of DPJ assemblymen are still opposing to the bill.

The bill excludes novels and live action materials from the scope of the regulation. At the general affairs committee held on December 9th, the counselor Asakawa explained the reason that "Self regulation is properly done in the live action industry. As for novels, the impression varies from person to person. On the other hand, the interpretations of manga and anime are uniform no matter who reads or watches them."

@Ringoo - I don't disagree with what you say, I was referring to people who think everything will be regulated ( naruto, CG, bakuman, (the virtually clean) saraiya goyou etc) but thats not how it is. I partially support it cuz I think some of hentai has seeped into shounen-esque anime (aside from senseless shit like Chu Bra), but I don't like the ambiguous nature of the bill. I think they should have focused more on censorship on a limited scale instead of an effective ban. The main casualty, like you pointed out, would be all the stuff thats on the thin line in between, like Bakemonogatari...a part of me wants to call it "collateral damage" but I admit that would be hypocrisy.
According to the new update, the bill is going to pass and will be effective from summer 2011. I'm interested in finding out how they're going to use their new powers.

There is no exaggeration. When big-3 shonen manga megazines and other major ones are boycotting, that means there is some proper reasons for it. Obviously, we are not worried about Code Geass or Bakuman being regulated at all, since it obviously won't...>_>... There are many obvious series such as Bakemonogatari (It had tons of sex jokes, virgin jokes, Hitagi OP stabler metaphor, Tsubasa rape OP; but it is basically the most successful anime in 21st century.) that falls straight into the criteria.

Funny, that was exactly what I was thinking (down to the exact example of Bakemonogatari) too.

Other shows that are "interesting" but could be affected include the likes of Ef, Suzumiya Haruhi (Haruhi-on-Mikuru rape played for laughs, anyone?), Railgun (Same with Kuroko), or harmless comedies like Seitokai Yakuindomo which has sexual humour as its central attraction. These are all shows that could potentially be relegated to DVD-only. I don't know about anyone else, but given how poorly-worded the laws are (and how easily porn can be obtained off the internet anyway) I doubt that it'll have any positive impact on teens, and that in the course of futile banning, at least some of the shows that I love would be affected.

There is no exaggeration. When big-3 shonen manga megazines and other major ones are boycotting, that means there is some proper reasons for it. Obviously, we are not worried about Code Geass or Bakuman being regulated at all, since it obviously won't...>_>... There are many obvious series such as Bakemonogatari (It had tons of sex jokes, virgin jokes, Hitagi OP stabler metaphor, Tsubasa rape OP; but it is basically the most successful anime in 21st century.) that falls straight into the criteria.

The reason all the publishers are boycotting it seems, according to dankanemitsu, is that they were not consulted and the bill was revealed on the last possible day before assembly. I think they shouldn't pass a law like this without consulting affected parties such as publishers, parents etc

All mangas and animated cartoons can be erased depending on the construction of the municipal law.
And, it is people that actually manage who forcibly promote this municipal law.
If the organization that inspects it is fair, no one means the complaint.

The agreement sect is only 1% in the public comments that Tokyo collected.
Because they become disadvantageous when they talk beforehand, it has suddenly put it out ahead of Congress without discussing it.

It is really crazy.
(.....System Christ leftist group in country of hamburger)

according to the link by hoppy, the bill means that manga and anime creators have to make sure their works do not put sexual offenses under Japans criminal laws in a positive light, so as not to encourage impressionable minds to commit such acts. The new bill, Bill 156, essentially stipulates all sexual acts that would be illegal in real life OR sexual depictions between people who could legally not get married to be treated as adult material if they are presented in “unjustifiably glorified or exaggerated manner.”

Thats the basic gist. Such products will be deemed as 'harmful' and not sold by normal outlets. Basically it is forcing manga and anime creators to self regulate their material.

I think they are going overboard with this, since they already have the power to designate manga/anime as 'harmful' (Adult only). I didnt know they could do this, but the bill doesnt make any sense if they have this power already.

The criteria is not nudity itself, nudity and panty shots are not the target; but showing sexual offenses in a positive light IS. So dont worry, Code geass is not going to be deemed harmful. People are overreacting more than the Government is, in my opinion.

The reason all the publishers are boycotting it seems, according to dankanemitsu, is that they were not consulted and the bill was revealed on the last possible day before assembly. I think they shouldn't pass a law like this without consulting affected parties such as publishers, parents etc

hmm... I should say that they got 3 of the strongers manga publishers in all japan... and several others that are still great. But still I am surprised by this... THEY SHOULD LET NO RESTRICTIONS!!!... Just classify them for their genere... Teen for teen... Yaoi/Yuri/hentai/whatever for +18... <.< (yaoi isn't BL/shounen-ai... its hardcore...)

koreye said:I seriously dont see why everyone is exaggerrating so much...OMG THEY GONNA CENSOR NARUTO!!
most of those anime dont even have anything explicit...besides, censoring something like Bakuman is like signing their own death warrants, seeing how HUGE the industry is and what it means to japan. We dont know what the bill actually impies in the first place. Ambigous words do not mean they're gonna go all out and censor everything that came out since 1960. Going into a panic frenzy and speculating doomsday for the anime indutry is more than an overreaction. And honestly, its the indutries own fault for giving them an excuse with stuff like Chu Bra! for God's sake!

You actually need to read the bill. The reason that this is an issue is not because of censor; censoring is not even mentioned in the bill. It's because they will just 'entirely ban' anything that fits with the law from teenagers who are the major consumers. This will limit the expression of artist in significant level and ones that had teenager as primary consumer will get some huge crisis. Anything that is already oriented for adults will get no change.

Plus, Ishihara DOES NOT CARE about what happens to the anime industry at all. That's what he said officially, with his usual double speak.

Simpler way of stating what this bill is about is; 'if anime/manga contains positive attitude towards acts that is not legal, it will be regulated'. Just reminder that this is not just sexuality; it includes anything that can cause bad influence to 'teenagers'. With this wording, even one piece can be included. The thing mangakas are worried is its huge potential of being abused.

That's an amazing of wiggle room if I understand you correctly. Good grief, down the road that could be used as a loophole for indoctrination, as the definition of what is "legal" could easily be bent seventeen ways to Sunday.

Hell, you could end up having media that demeans a powerful figure in government be blacklisted for younger audiences simply using this loophole...and you could easily hinder it entirely depending on the structure of the legalese. It's a dangerous amount of power that is being handed to the government, for sure.

well not really, but there will be an anime decrease that towards to Teens/young adults. Lets say if this bill passes, a little bit of nudity would be banned from airing and marked as 18+(whatever the age laws is there.) For example, Code Geass showed some nudity, then it will never be allowed to be aired and be only allowed to sell to 18+.

So, its very bad.

Ignore the people that supports the bill, they have no idea what this bill can do. For example, the girls are saying "yay, no eechi" well this is ALSO toward to reverse harems as well, supporting this will get rid of alot of genres. ._.

Just as you say, it probably is the end of the anime industry. Coming up with a great anime/manga with a tight leash as that is close to impossible. I imagine that Japan will lose its (in my eyes) only attraction.

well not really, but there will be an anime decrease that towards to Teens/young adults. Lets say if this bill passes, a little bit of nudity would be banned from airing and marked as 18+(whatever the age laws is there.) For example, Code Geass showed some nudity, then it will never be allowed to be aired and be only allowed to sell to 18+.

So, its very bad.

Ignore the people that supports the bill, they have no idea what this bill can do. For example, the girls are saying "yay, no eechi" well this is ALSO toward to reverse harems as well, supporting this will get rid of alot of genres. ._.

According to this even Japanese games will be affected so if any game has fanservice or too much violence like the many titles Rated B though D, those will automatically become CERO Z (18+) regardless of how tame or hardcore it is. This is the ultimate bill of evil and ruin, if this passes Japan is doomed period. I bet they'll be overturning that bill quick when tourism revenue disappear. Even Tales of Graces F has enough sadistic scenes although bloodless in nature to warrant a Z rating under this bill.

Oh wow, I didn't even see that. Then again, I don't know all that much about Japanegames, so I can't really say if it will screw over that industry or not.

Ok....so the general gist of this is that Ishihara is trying to pass a bill to regulate anime and manga involving minors, and he's using hentai as an....example? Is that the right word?
It seems like a lot of anme and manga could get axed, just because they deal with mature topics.

According to this even Japanese games will be affected so if any game has fanservice or too much violence like the many titles Rated B though D, those will automatically become CERO Z (18+) regardless of how tame or hardcore it is. This is the ultimate bill of evil and ruin, if this passes Japan is doomed period. I bet they'll be overturning that bill quick when tourism revenue disappear. Even Tales of Graces F has enough sadistic scenes although bloodless in nature to warrant a Z rating under this bill.

koreye said:I seriously dont see why everyone is exaggerrating so much...OMG THEY GONNA CENSOR NARUTO!!
most of those anime dont even have anything explicit...besides, censoring something like Bakuman is like signing their own death warrants, seeing how HUGE the industry is and what it means to japan. We dont know what the bill actually impies in the first place. Ambigous words do not mean they're gonna go all out and censor everything that came out since 1960. Going into a panic frenzy and speculating doomsday for the anime indutry is more than an overreaction. And honestly, its the indutries own fault for giving them an excuse with stuff like Chu Bra! for God's sake!

You actually need to read the bill. The reason that this is an issue is not because of censor; censoring is not even mentioned in the bill. It's because they will just 'entirely ban' anything that fits with the law from teenagers who are the major consumers. This will limit the expression of artist in significant level and ones that had teenager as primary consumer will get some huge crisis. Anything that is already oriented for adults will get no change.

Plus, Ishihara DOES NOT CARE about what happens to the anime industry at all. That's what he said officially, with his usual double speak.

Simpler way of stating what this bill is about is; 'if anime/manga contains positive attitude towards acts that is not legal, it will be regulated'. Just reminder that this is not just sexuality; it includes anything that can cause bad influence to 'teenagers'. With this wording, even one piece can be included. The thing mangakas are worried is its huge potential of being abused.

ok...
Is there a English text of the bill I can read somewhere on the internet? and did you quote that from the bill or Ishihara?

koreye said:I seriously dont see why everyone is exaggerrating so much...OMG THEY GONNA CENSOR NARUTO!!
most of those anime dont even have anything explicit...besides, censoring something like Bakuman is like signing their own death warrants, seeing how HUGE the industry is and what it means to japan. We dont know what the bill actually impies in the first place. Ambigous words do not mean they're gonna go all out and censor everything that came out since 1960. Going into a panic frenzy and speculating doomsday for the anime indutry is more than an overreaction. And honestly, its the indutries own fault for giving them an excuse with stuff like Chu Bra! for God's sake!

You actually need to read the bill. The reason that this is an issue is not because of censor; censoring is not even mentioned in the bill. It's because they will just 'entirely ban' anything that fits with the law from teenagers who are the major consumers. This will limit the expression of artist in significant level and ones that had teenager as primary consumer will get some huge crisis. Anything that is already oriented for adults will get no change.

Plus, Ishihara DOES NOT CARE about what happens to the anime industry at all. That's what he said officially, with his usual double speak.

Simpler way of stating what this bill is about is; 'if anime/manga contains positive attitude towards acts that is not legal, it will be regulated'. Just reminder that this is not just sexuality; it includes anything that can cause bad influence to 'teenagers'. With this wording, even one piece can be included. The thing mangakas are worried is its huge potential of being abused.